Travel Exclusively African is a privately owned company which is run exclusively by the co-owners: Kirsty Marmarellis, Donald Keys, Beverly Brentnall and Ian Brentnall.

Kirsty Marmarellis (kirsty@travelxa.com)
Kirsty first began working for a Botswana safari company and she quickly realised that she held a great passion for travel! Her career responsibilities have varied from travel reservations, consulting, sales, marketing, incentives and function co-ordinating, including training on the latter. Kirsty has co-ordinated functions varying from 10 - 1000 people for corporate top 100 companies. She recognises the privilege of having visited over 100 cities world-wide, and to have travelled extensively within Southern Africa during her 18 years in the tourism business. As a golf fanatic she has ensured that she has played in most of the countries visited, including Hawaii, Argentina, Bahamas, UK, Canada, USA, Malaysia, Bali , Disney World, Dubai, Mauritius, Seychelles and of course most local courses.

Her love of planning vacations to Southern Africa and vast travel experience has allowed her great fulfilment within this leading travel company.

The best thing about my travels:
It has to be the glorious Garden Route! This easily self-driven journey, offers every traveller an unforgettable experience ~ families will all find accommodation & activities to perfectly suit their needs, and if a romantic getaway is on the cards you will find the most breathtaking hideaways imaginable. Not to mention that this has become a golfers paradise … and to end a perfect trip you can experience the best of South Africa’s malaria-free Big Five Safari!

Ian Brentnall: (ian@travelxa.com)
Having been brought up in South Africa after his parents emigrated there in the 60’s, Ian qualified in management accounting followed by various senior positions in leading companies such as BMW, Kimberley Clark and EDS. This also meant that he lived and travelled in a number of countries including England, Sweden, The Netherlands, and France before returning to the country that he loves so much – South Africa.

His responsibilities in running travel departments for large organisations fuelled his passion for travel which ultimately led to his forming both a UK and South African based Travel Company which today offers the widest choice of itineraries throughout the African continent.

As a qualified Tourist Guide specialising in Wine, Golf and Safari’s, he’s always ready to offer you the best experienced advice.

The best thing about my travels:
For me, the late afternoon – early evening game drive is just out of this world. Seeing the sunset on the horizon sipping a lovely glass of wine sitting on a 4 X 4 in the middle of Africa! One of the reasons for being here!

Beverly Brentnall: (beverly@travelxa.com)
After visiting and falling in love with South Africa, Beverly Brentnall started working full time with her husband Ian, creating tailored holidays for clients to South Africa. With a background in sales and marketing she soon filled a leading role in planning and tailoring both honeymoon and family holiday trips to South Africa. Now living in Cape Town, her on-the-ground knowledge is vital in offering her overseas clients the best accommodation to suit their budgets in a country that has become her passion.

Beverly also manages the TEA Children’s Charity Fund and its affliation to The Thembalitscha Foundation.

The best thing about my travels:
It has to be for me the Cape Winelands! Not only is the scenery and Cape Dutch architecture just stunning, but the food and wine take some beating by anyone’s standards!. The summer is for sipping chilled Sauvignon Blanc or a sparkling Cap Classique whilst dining al fresco admiring the mountain views. The winter is cosy with log fires and delicious Pinotage, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon with the same spectacular views!

.

Donald Keys: (donald@travelxa.com)
After studying at the University of Stellenbosch, Donald started off his career in the restaurant industry as the general manager of a bustling seafood restaurant. Three years later his passion for food and wine was well established. This start in business gave him the opportunity to spend the next two years travelling and working for Royal Caribbean, exploring the world, its food, its wine and its people. In 2002 he became the managing director of a South African winery and subsequently studied further in wine, becoming a wine lecturer and wine judge. 2008 saw the realisation of a life long dream when he joined Travel Exclusively African, finally able to show off Fabulous Southern Africa to the world. Donald, as a born and bred South African, has a vast knowledge and great passion for the outdoors, wildlife and the ocean. Combining this with his love for great cuisine and fine wine will ensure that our discerning travellers will have an unforgettable travel experience.

The best thing about my travels:
“ Being able to spend time in a country where the good things in life can be experienced along with the wild outdoors of Africa. From having a splendid glass of Pinot Noir with a exquisitely prepared breast of duck at your five star hotel overlooking spectacular Table Mountain and Table Bay, to Shark cage diving or watching the Big Five having their evening drink by the river at an exclusive Private Game Reserve. – Whatever it is that you see as your ultimate holiday experience we will be eager to oblige in making your dream come true.”